(Annapolis, MD) Today the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) released its first round of endorsed candidates for the Maryland General Assembly in the 2018 state primary elections. The organization said the 20 Senate and 61 House candidates have all demonstrated pro-conservation records and leadership on environmental issues.

(Annapolis, MD) Today, the Anne Arundel Chapter of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) announced its endorsement of Elly Tierney to represent Ward One on the Annapolis City Council. Elly Tierney has years of experience as a corporate executive, small business owner, civic activist and leader. She will work for consensus and practical solutions to flooding, sustainability, over-development, housing and other quality of life issues.

“We are pleased to support Elly Tierney and strong team of candidates in Annapolis that are committed to cleaning- up our city’s waterways, conserving its forestland, and ensuring development is responsible, ” said Marcia Verploegen Lewis, who headed the committee that conducted the endorsement process. “Each understands that protecting the environment and our quality of life go hand-in-hand.”

“This election affords a unique opportunity to make a healthy environment and sustainable growth priorities for the city.” We encourage everyone who cares about conservation to go to the polls and vote on Tuesday, November 7.”

The endorsements represent the first time that the Maryland LCV has been engaged in City of Annapolis elections.

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For almost 40 years, the non-partisan Maryland League of Conservation Voters has served as the political voice of the environment. We advocate for sound conservation policies, promote environmentally responsible candidates, and hold individual elected officials accountable through our scorecards and reports.

MARYLAND LCV UNVEILS NEW AWARD FOR “GREEN CHAMPIONS” AFTER BANNER YEAR FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The Environmental Organization Also Releases 2017 General Assembly Scorecard

Annapolis, MD – Today the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) unveiled its first group of “Green Champions,” an exceptional group of legislators whose superlative leadership on environmental legislation includes lifetime scores above 95 percents and primary sponsorship of priority environmental legislation during the previous three years. The ten legislators honored this year are Senators Cheryl Kagan, Paul Pinsky, and Victor Ramirez, along with Delegates David Fraser-Hidalgo, Bill Frick, Tawanna Gaines, Steve Lafferty, Clarence Lam, Brooke Lierman, and Shane Robinson.

The organization also released their 2017 “Environmental Scorecard,” which highlights the environmental voting record of all 188 legislators and describes the General Assembly’s overall record on those issues each year.

“Given the stunning attacks on the environment we are seeing nationally, it is more important than ever than Maryland’s elected leaders work hard to protect our air, land, water, and people; this year’s legislative session showed that Maryland will not back down protecting our natural resources. We’re also thrilled this year to recognize our Green Champions, who have led the way on environmental progress in Maryland and represent the future of political leadership in this state,” said Ed Hatcher, Maryland LCV Board Chair.

“Thanks to the Green Champions in the General Assembly, Maryland made tremendous progress during the 2017 legislative session, including overriding a veto of Clean Energy Jobs Act and banning the dangerous practice of hydraulic fracturing. We will build on our progress in the 2018 Legislative Session as we continue to make Maryland a leader on climate change,” said Karla Raettig, Maryland LCV Executive Director.

Maryland LCV’s 2017 scorecard shows that, in an increasingly divided political climate, leadership in environmental stewardship can and must be a point of common ground. Maryland passed legislation that makes the state a leader in protecting our land, air, and water from the hazards of drilling, pesticides, and unnecessary antibiotics -- all with strong bipartisan support.

“I am tremendously proud to work alongside of Maryland LCV and represent the great community of District 15 in Montgomery County. They are an essential resource for all legislators who want to be environmental leaders, and I am honored to be one of the Green Champions of 2017,” said Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo of the Maryland General Assembly.

The scorecard is available online and includes records of votes cast on the floor of the House and Senate and in committees, along with past voting records. Go to http://scorecard.mdlcv.org to see the scorecard and follow #MDLCVScore on social media. Maryland LCV has created an interactive map with legislative voting information, which provides Marylanders with contact information for their legislators.

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Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) is a state-wide nonpartisan organization that uses political action and education to protect our air, land, public health, and water. Maryland LCV endorses and elects pro-conservation candidates and holds elected officials accountable through legislative scorecards. A leading legislative watchdog in Annapolis, we have advocated for smart environmental policies for almost 40 years, working to make Maryland a healthy and prosperous place for families and communities. Maryland LCV protects public health by fighting for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters, preserving green spaces, promoting smarter growth and increasing Maryland’s investment in clean energy.

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – In preparation for the largest environmental event of the year, Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) announced the awardees for the 2017 Environmental Leadership Awards Dinner. Maryland LCV bestows the Chesapeake Champion Award to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, awards the Legislator of the Year Award to House Chair of the Environment and Transportation committee, Delegate Kumar Barve, and the John V. Kabler Memorial Award to the 2016 Prince George’s County Promotores Class.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay. Serving as a watchdog, they fight for effective, science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Their motto, "Save the Bay," is a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake's six-state, 64,000-square-mile watershed, which is home to more than 17 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals. As CBF celebrates their 50th anniversary we thank them for their commitment to Maryland's environment and we are pleased to present them with the Chesapeake Champion Award.

Delegate Kumar Barve has championed many environmental issues over the years that have helped protect Maryland’s air, land, water and people. This year, he is receiving our Legislator of the Year award for his work passing legislation to permanently ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Maryland. While this was certainly the highest profile environmental victory this year, as Chairman of the Environment and Transportation Committee, he has helped guide many successful campaigns this year- from protecting pollinator habitats, to advancing the cause of clean energy, to ensuring sustainable oyster fisheries.

Chispa Maryland’s 2016 Class of Environmental Justice and Action Promotores are 13 women who were selected to participate in Chispa Maryland’s highest volunteer program. Chispa’s Environmental Justice and Action Promotores elevates Latino leaders and offers training on grassroots organizing within our own communities while building relationships of respect and dignity with members of the community. Since their graduation, these 13 leaders have been working to bring environmental issues, education and activism to fellow Latinos and people of color in schools, churches, community centers, parks, and around our county.

“It was a banner year for the environment in the 2017 Legislative session, thanks to the leadership of Chairman Kumar Barve. We are honored to award him Legislator of the Year for his passionate defense of the environment and his work to ban the dangerous practice of fracking,” Karla Raettig, Maryland League of Conservation Voters Executive Director.

Please follow us on twitter @MDLCV and the hashtag #GreenAwardsMD to follow along during the event.

John V. Kabler Memorial Award

Established in 2001, the John V. Kabler Memorial Award honors the vision and accomplishments of John V. Kabler (1942-1996). Motivated to act on behalf of the environment in the wake of the Three Mile Island crisis in the late 1970s, Kabler inspired his environmental colleagues to become active in political campaigns. Together these leaders founded the Maryland LCV in 1979. Until his death in 1996, Kabler was a key leader of the Maryland conservation movement. Past recipients of the John V. Kabler Memorial Award include Governors Parris Glendening and Harry Hughes, U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski, Joseph Tydings and Paul Sarbanes, U.S. Representatives Wayne Gilchrest and Chris Van Hollen, Maryland State Senator Brian Frosh, EPA Administrator Russell Train, the Chesapeake Waterkeepers, former Maryland DNR Secretary John Griffin, 1000 Friends Executive Director, Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Maryland LCV Founders Nancy Davis and Ajax Eastman, Adam Ortiz, and the Central Maryland Beekeepers.

MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS AND PARTNERS GAIN TRACTION IN 2017 MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

Maryland’s Environment Had A Banner Year

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland General Assembly closed the 2017 session with powerful affirmations of the importance of protecting Maryland’s people and environment. Maryland gained national acclaim by banning hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), as well as limiting the over-use of antibiotics in agriculture.

The legislature opened its Session by overriding Governor Hogan’s veto of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and then renewed its commitment to the clean energy economy through several other successful legislative efforts. The legislature reinforced our state’s protection of pollinators from dangerous pesticides. Many of these legislative victories included bipartisan support, demonstrating that in a state that values the environment as well as the economy, the environment can bridge the partisan divide.

Maryland LCV is disappointed that the House failed to pass a task force to examine the Forest Conservation Act and how to best protect our State’s tree canopy, but will look forward to working with the with the House legislators assigned to examine this issue. Similarly, there is hope that a workgroup exploring concerns of plastics in our waste stream will set the stage for landmark trash-reduction legislation next year.

“Every successful enterprise in Annapolis relies on a partnership of legislators and advocates – both the advocates in the halls of the General Assembly, and engaged citizens. The rise of local action groups in the last several months made a tangible difference in our ability to pass strong environmental legislation,” said Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV. “Your calls and e-mails joined with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of voices from every corner of the state in support of strong protection for people, land, water, and air.”

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The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) is a state-wide, nonpartisan organization that uses political action and education to protect our air, land and water. Maryland LCV endorses and elects pro-conservation candidates and holds elected officials accountable through legislative scorecards. A leading legislative watchdog in Annapolis, we have advocated for smart environmental policies for almost 40 years, working to make Maryland a healthy and prosperous place for families and communities. Maryland LCV protects public health by fighting for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters, preserving green spaces, promoting smarter growth and increasing Maryland’s investment in clean energy.

Annapolis, MD- Today, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters commends the Governor’s recent stance on supporting a full ban of the practice of hydraulic fracturing in Maryland. He joins the bi-partisan effort of a ban after the Maryland House of Delegates passed the legislation with overwhelming support.

We also want to recognize the tireless efforts of our legislators in the Maryland General Assembly, Chairman Kumar Barve, Delegate Shane Robinson, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, Senator Bobby Zirkin and Chairwoman Joan Carter-Conway for their support of this bill. This action would not have happened without the dedication and work of thousands of advocates from more than 140 organizations across the State.

We look forward to working with the Governor and General Assembly to protect Maryland from this dangerous practice for the good of all Marylanders and the planet.

STATEMENT ON THE FRACKING BAN VICTORY IN THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Annapolis, MD- Today, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters is honored to stand with the Don’t Frack Maryland coalition in celebration of the passage of the Fracking Ban through the Senate chamber with a bipartisan vote of 35-10.

After the March 10th house vote, and with the Governor’s recent stance on supporting a full ban of the practice of hydraulic fracturing in Maryland, this cements the protection of all Marylanders against this dangerous practice.

When we began working on this issue seven years ago, we knew this would be an uphill battle. Over the years since passing the moratorium in 2015, the science and policy are now in alignment to protect all Marylanders from fracking. This resulted from the enormous grassroots efforts of the Don't Frack Maryland coalition and our legislative leaders, Chairman Kumar Barve, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, Delegate Shane Robinson, Chairwoman Joan Carter-Conway, Senator Bobby Zirkin, Senator Paul Pinsky, Senator Roger Manno, and others in championing this cause and blazing a trail for our neighboring states.

Annapolis, MD – Chispa Maryland, a program within the Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, held the first ever ChispaAdvocacy Day. Supporters within the organization visited the Maryland General Assembly and the Latino Legislative Caucus.

Accompanied by 25 students fromNorthwestern High School, Chispa Director Ramon Palencia Calvo took them to the state house, a tour of Annapolis, and they met with their legislators representing them in Annapolis.

“By introducing these students to Annapolis at a young age, we hope to spark interest in local government and the power that people have to influence their world, in the true meaning of Chispa,” said the Director of Chispa Maryland, Ramon Palencia Calvo.

The students met with Delegate Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, Delegate Maricé I. Morales, Delegate Carlo Sanchez, and Senator Victor R. Ramirezto advocate for a Styrofoam ban, air pollution related to diesel trucks in their neighborhood, and climate change.

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Chispa Maryland is a program within the Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (Maryland LCV Ed Fund). Maryland LCV Ed Fund protects public health by fighting for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters, preserving green spaces, promoting smarter growth, and increasing Maryland’s investment in clean energy.

Annapolis, MD–Maryland LCV today unveiled scores for the Maryland delegation released this morning as part of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) 2016 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard includes 17 votes in the Senate votes and 38 House votes, which sets a new record for the most votes scored in the House and reflects that, under Speaker Paul Ryan, the U.S. House remains the most anti-environmental in history. This is in direct contrast to President Obama who led the way on combating climate change and protecting our environment. The Scorecard is available in both English and Spanish at scorecard.lcv.org.

Today we at the Maryland League of Conservation Voters celebrate an early victory this session with one of our major climate bills, The Clean Energy Jobs Act, passing out of the Maryland General Assembly today, despite Governor Hogan’s veto of the bill last session.

We applaud the General Assembly for standing up for Maryland’s clean energy economy and increasing our state’s renewable energy. This bill continues Maryland’s leadership on combatting climate change and reflects what we all know; Maryland voters want action on climate.

We can no longer depend on the national administration to take action against climate change, and action at the state level is more important than ever. We are enthused to have a General Assembly taking up the reins of leadership on climate change.